PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kai Smith (ranked 2324 p4p, 4772 weight class) and Kenny Soederblom (ranked 267 p4p, 474 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Smith
vs
Soederblom

186 cm
26
175
4 - 2 - 0

188 cm
28
179
2 - 4 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kai Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kenny Soederblom!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Joseph Jones and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Soederblom connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Soederblom blocks a leg kick.
Soederblom ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Smith moves away.
Soederblom throws a hook but Smith avoids it easily.
Danga de danga de dang - Soederblom scores with a four punch combination!
Soederblom lands the left hand.
Smith throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Soederblom misses the jab.
Soederblom misses with a hook to the body
and Smith counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Smith bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Soederblom throws a body shot but no joy.
Soederblom looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Soederblom avoids the body shot from Smith.
Smith definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Soederblom steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Smith.
Soederblom fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Smith on the side of the head.
A looping hook to the body misses from Smith. Soederblom does a little dance to reset his feet.
Soederblom throws out a counter right but Smith avoids it with no problem.
An inside leg kick from Smith misses.
Soederblom looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Smith looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soederblom slips a jab from Smith.
Smith slips a jab and a cross from Soederblom.
Soederblom scores with a nice right hand.
Kenny Soederblom seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smith ducks under a wild hook from Soederblom.
Smith ducks right into an uppercut from Soederblom.
Smith throws a body shot but no joy.
Smith avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Soederblom throws a body shot but no joy.
Smith looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Soederblom avoids the head kick by Smith.
Smith takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Soederblom lands a leg kick that knocks Smith off balance momentarily.
Smith blocks a jab.
Soederblom lands with a good body shot.
Smith has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Smith there as he acknowledges the shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Soederblom ducks under a wild hook from Smith.
Soederblom misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soederblom connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Soederblom misses with a two punch combination.
Soederblom works over Smith's head and body with a nice combination.
Smith scores with a body shot.
Smith does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Soederblom throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Smith counters with a nice body shot.
Smith walks into a straight right hand from Soederblom.
Soederblom smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Smith is looking to wear down Soederblom with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Soederblom cracks a nice hook into Smith's ribs.
A combination from Smith does no damage.
Soederblom throws a right hand that Smith ducks under and follows up with a left that Smith also avoids with ease.
Soederblom misses with a wild combination.
Smith uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Soederblom.
Soederblom connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soederblom is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Smith takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Soederblom connects with a nice looking jab.
Soederblom uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Smith.
Smith gets cracked there but stands up to it.
A jab from Soederblom misses.
Smith appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Soederblom takes a swing at Smith's ribcage but misses.
Smith is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Soederblom.
The fighters circling - Smith throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Smith on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Soederblom throws a lazy right hand but Smith sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Soederblom jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Smith takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Soederblom is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Smith had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Smith swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Smith takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Soederblom throws a series of punches but Smith moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soederblom throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Smith pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Soederblom lands a jab.
Soederblom throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Smith stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Soederblom listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Soederblom lands with a hook. Smith tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Soederblom throws an off balance right hand
and Smith counters with a thumping low kick.
Smith throws a hook but Soederblom blocks it.
A jab from Soederblom does it's job there.
Smith misses with a low kick as Soederblom jumps back.
Soederblom appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Soederblom lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Soederblom missing with a left hand there. Smith was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Smith swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Soederblom rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Smith counters with a right hand to the body.
A punch lands to the side of Smith 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Good shot there by Soederblom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kenny Soederblom dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Soederblom misses with a straight left.
Smith was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Smith misses with a wild body shot.
Soederblom throws a lazy body kick

and Smith counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Smith.
Soederblom prevents a body shot from Smith.
A short body shot lands from Soederblom as the two fighters clinch.
Smith has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Smith.
Soederblom has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Soederblom wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Smith has him pressed against the cage.
Soederblom prevents a body shot from Smith.
Soederblom wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Smith has him pressed against the cage.
Smith lands with a left to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Soederblom wants to get back to striking at distance but Smith won't allow it.
Soederblom wants to get back to striking at distance but Smith won't allow it.
A head punch on the inside from Soederblom fails to land.
Soederblom blocks a body shot from Smith.
Soederblom is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Smith lands a body punch in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soederblom is looking to break free of the clinch but Smith has double underhooks.
Soederblom wants to break free but Smith has control.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Smith.
Soederblom wants to stall.
Smith swings wildly with an uppercut but Soederblom uses good head movement to avoid it.
Soederblom blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Soederblom wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Soederblom manages to break the clinch.
Soederblom pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Soederblom throws a series of punches but Smith avoids them all with ease.
Soederblom swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A swing and a miss from Soederblom.
Smith throws a chopping leg kick but Soederblom manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Soederblom connects with a solid leg kick.
That kick from Soederblom tenderised Smith's leg. Smith is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soederblom moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Soederblom lands with a shot to the body.
Smith avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Soederblom misses with a body punch

and Smith counters by clinching up.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Smith lands a right hand.
A bit of stalling here from Smith.
A right hand to the body from Smith.
Smith lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Soederblom or not.
Soederblom looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Soederblom working hard to break the clinch.
Smith holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Soederblom has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Smith is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Soederblom is trying to break the clinch but Smith is controlling him.
Smith looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith misses with a hook to the ribs.
Smith misses with some punches.
Soederblom is stalling here.
Smith stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

Soederblom breaks from the clinch.
Soederblom throws an off balance right hand
and Smith counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Soederblom dodges the punch combination from Smith.
Soederblom scores with a decent looking hook.
Soederblom ducks under a wild hook from Smith.
Soederblom tries to bum rush Smith with a series of wild strikes but Smith uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A slow jab from Soederblom misses its intended target.
A decent looking cross lands there for Soederblom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Soederblom.
Soederblom throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Smith counters with a nice leg kick.
Soederblom just misses with a punch to the body.
Soederblom defending well as Smith loads up on a big left hand.
Soederblom swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Smith takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smith takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Soederblom takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Soederblom is breathing heavily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Smith. Soederblom does a little dance to reset his feet.
Soederblom connects with a good right hand that stumbles Smith. Smith circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Soederblom with a hook.
Smith tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Soederblom uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Smith.
A slow jab from Soederblom misses its intended target.
Smith misses with a straight right.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Kai Smith will probably get the nod.
That's time! Smith's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

A jab from Soederblom misses.
Smith dodges the punch combination from Soederblom.
Soederblom misses with a double jab.
Soederblom lands a slapping body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Soederblom. Smith does a little dance to reset his feet.
Smith tries to counter by clinching up but Soederblom breaks away and moves out of range.
Soederblom connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Smith's hands.
A shot to the body from Soederblom misses
letting Smith counter with a right hand.
Soederblom works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Smith slips under a jab.
Smith gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Soederblom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith tries to land a leg kick but Soederblom saw it coming and moves away.
Soederblom is looking for the big counter here.
Smith pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Soederblom lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Smith gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Soederblom.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Soederblom scores with the left hand. Smith knows he should have avoided that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith misses with a wild body shot.
Soederblom just misses with a punch to the body.
An inside leg kick lands from Smith.
Smith walks into a stiff left hand from Soederblom.
Soederblom lands a jab to Smith's midsection.
Soederblom throws a hook to the side of Smith's head but Smith sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A quick step to the side and Smith tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Smith walks into a straight right hand from Soederblom.
A jab from Soederblom misses.
Smith loads up on a big right hand but Soederblom slips the punch.
A countering left hand to the body from Soederblom misses.
Smith ducks under a wild hook from Soederblom.
Soederblom throws a good cross that connects.
Soederblom scores with the left hand. Smith knows he should have avoided that one.
Soederblom misses with a lunging right hand
and Smith counters with a straight right hand.
Soederblom clobbers Smith with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Soederblom is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Smith.
Smith bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Soederblom slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Soederblom misses the body punch

and Smith counters by clinching up.
Smith goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Soederblom has had enough of the clinch but Smith keeps him there for the moment.
Soederblom is trying to break the clinch but Smith is controlling him.
Soederblom stalling in the clinch but Smith improves position.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Smith.
Soederblom takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Soederblom is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Soederblom blocks a body shot from Smith.
Smith scores with a shoulder strike.
Smith is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Soederblom can't break the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Smith.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Smith fails to land.
Soederblom can't break the clinch.
Soederblom trying to stall but Smith improves his position.
Smith lands a body shot in the clinch.
Smith pushes Soederblom back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Soederblom's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Smith lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Soederblom or not.
Soederblom throws a head punch that misses.
Smith tries to throw a body punch but Soederblom avoids it by throwing Smith back against the cage.
Smith lands a shot to the body.
Soederblom tries to break free but Smith pushes him back against the cage.
Soederblom is trying to break the clinch but Smith has him pressed against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Smith.
Smith struggles to land a body shot inside as Soederblom controls his hands.
Soederblom can't break the clinch.
Smith stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Smith lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Soederblom or not.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Smith.
Smith lands a hook that snaps the head of Soederblom backwards.
Smith lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Smith misses with a hook to the ribs.
Smith misses with a hook to the ribs.
Smith lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Smith lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Soederblom backwards.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Smith scores with a nice hook to the head.
Smith misses with a hook to the ribs.
Smith works on Soederblom's body with a couple of short punches.
Smith prevents a body shot from Soederblom.
Soederblom looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Smith leaning his opponent against the cage.
Smith stalling against the cage.
Smith lands an uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Kai Smith.
I think Smith has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 29:28
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 29:28
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kai Smith!
Kai Smith thanked the fans post fight for their support.